Daniel 6:7

KJV

All the presidents of the kingdom, the governors, and the princes, the counsellors, and the captains, have consulted together to establish a royal statute, and to make a firm decree, that whosoever shall ask a petition of any God or man for thirty days, save of thee, O king, he shall be cast into the den of lions.

KJV (with Strong's)

All {H3606} the presidents {H5632} of the kingdom {H4437}, the governors {H5460}, and the princes {H324}, the counsellors {H1907}, and the captains {H6347}, have consulted together {H3272} to establish {H6966} a royal {H4430} statute {H7010}, and to make a firm {H8631} decree {H633}, that whosoever shall ask {H1156} a petition {H1159} of {H4481} any {H3606} God {H426} or man {H606} for {H5705} thirty {H8533} days {H3118}, save {H3861} of thee {H4481}, O king {H4430}, he shall be cast {H7412} into the den {H1358} of lions {H744}.

Complete Jewish Bible

All the chiefs of the kingdom, along with the prefects, viceroys, advisers and governors, have met and agreed that the king should issue a decree putting in force the following law: 'Whoever makes a request of any god or man during the next thirty days, except of you, your majesty, is to be thrown into the lion pit.'

Berean Standard Bible

All the royal administrators, prefects, satraps, advisers, and governors have agreed that the king should establish an ordinance and enforce a decree that for thirty days anyone who petitions any god or man except you, O king, will be thrown into the den of lions.

American Standard Version

All the presidents of the kingdom, the deputies and the satraps, the counsellors and the governors, have consulted together to establish a royal statute, and to make a strong interdict, that whosoever shall ask a petition of any god or man for thirty days, save of thee, O king, he shall be cast into the den of lions.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Daniel 6:7 details the insidious plot conceived by the high-ranking officials of the Medo-Persian kingdom against Daniel. Driven by envy and unable to find any fault in Daniel's impeccable administration, this powerful coalition—comprising presidents, governors, princes, counsellors, and captains—conspired to establish a seemingly legitimate royal statute. This firm decree strictly forbade any subject from making a petition to any god or human, save King Darius himself, for a period of thirty days, with the severe and unchangeable penalty of being cast into the den of lions for any transgression.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed within the narrative of Daniel chapter 6, immediately following Daniel's appointment as one of the three chief presidents over Darius's vast kingdom. Daniel's exceptional spirit and administrative integrity led King Darius to consider elevating him over the entire realm ([Daniel 6:3](/daniel/6-3 "Daniel 6:3 - Daniel's Excellence")). This favor, however, provoked intense jealousy and animosity among the other officials. Unable to find any grounds for accusation against Daniel concerning his official duties, they cunningly recognized that his unwavering devotion to God was his only potential vulnerability ([Daniel 6:4-5](/daniel/6-4 "Daniel 6:4-5 - The Officials Seek Accusation")). Thus, [Daniel 6:7](/daniel/6-7 "Daniel 6:7 - The Royal Decree") describes their collaborative effort to craft a law specifically designed to exploit Daniel's religious fidelity, setting the stage for the dramatic confrontation between human authority and divine allegiance that culminates in Daniel's miraculous deliverance.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is the Medo-Persian Empire, likely under the reign of Darius the Mede, who governed as a viceroy or appointed ruler under Cyrus the Great. A defining characteristic of Medo-Persian law, crucial to this narrative, was its unchangeable nature once signed by the king ([Daniel 6:8](/daniel/6-8 "Daniel 6:8 - The Unchangeable Law"); [Esther 1:19](/esther/1-19 "Esther 1:19 - The Law of the Medes and Persians")). This legal rigidity meant that even the king himself could not revoke a decree once it was enacted. The "den of lions" was a known and brutal form of capital punishment in the ancient Near East, serving as a terrifying public deterrent. The decree itself, temporarily elevating the king to an exclusive position as the sole recipient of petitions, reflects ancient monarchical practices where rulers often sought to consolidate power and demand absolute loyalty, sometimes even claiming divine attributes or unique access to the divine.
* **Key Themes:** [Daniel 6:7](/daniel/6-7 "Daniel 6:7 - The Royal Decree") introduces and develops several key theological and narrative themes within the Book of Daniel. Firstly, it highlights the **perennial conflict between human authority and divine sovereignty**, as the decree directly challenges God's exclusive right to receive worship and prayer. Secondly, it powerfully illustrates the theme of **persecution for righteousness**, demonstrating that Daniel's blameless character and spiritual devotion, rather than any wrongdoing, became the very catalyst for the malicious plot against him. This resonates with the broader biblical truth that those who live godly lives may face opposition ([2 Timothy 3:12](/2_timothy/3-12 "2 Timothy 3:12 - Persecution for Godliness")). Thirdly, the verse sets the stage for a profound **test of faith**, forcing Daniel to choose between obedience to God and compliance with a life-threatening human decree. Finally, it exposes the destructive nature of **political intrigue and jealousy**, revealing how envy can corrupt individuals and lead to elaborate schemes against the innocent.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **consulted together (Aramaic, _yᵉʻaṭ'_):** This term (H3272) signifies a deliberate act of counseling or consulting, often in a reflexive sense. Its use here emphasizes the premeditated and collaborative nature of the officials' conspiracy. They did not stumble upon this idea; rather, they actively and intentionally planned the decree, highlighting the malicious intent and calculated strategy behind their actions.
* **statute (Aramaic, _qᵉyâm'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to rise" or "to stand," this word (H7010) refers to an edict or decree that is established or arises in law. It denotes a formal, binding legal instrument. The conspirators ensured it was a "royal statute," underscoring its official and authoritative nature, which would be difficult for even the king to overturn once enacted.
* **den (Aramaic, _gôb'_):** This term (H1358) specifically describes a pit, particularly one dug for wild animals. In the context of Daniel 6, it refers to the deep, inescapable enclosure where lions were kept, serving as a terrifying and public means of execution. Its inclusion in the decree immediately highlights the severity and brutality of the punishment, designed to instill fear and ensure absolute compliance.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"All the presidents of the kingdom, the governors, and the princes, the counsellors, and the captains, have consulted together":** This clause vividly portrays the extensive and unified nature of the conspiracy. It was not an isolated act but a collective effort by the highest echelons of the Medo-Persian administration, excluding Daniel. Their "consultation" implies a strategic, deliberate, and unanimous decision-making process, underscoring the formidable and organized opposition Daniel faced.
* **"to establish a royal statute, and to make a firm decree":** This segment emphasizes the legal and unalterable character of the proposed law. The officials sought to create a binding royal edict, a "firm decree," leveraging the Medo-Persian legal tradition where royal pronouncements, once sealed, could not be revoked. This detail highlights their cunning in crafting a trap that would bind even the king himself.
* **"that whosoever shall ask a petition of any God or man for thirty days, save of thee, O king, he shall be cast into the den of lions":** This is the core of the decree, outlining the forbidden action and its severe consequence. For a limited period of thirty days, all forms of petition, whether to divine beings or other humans, were to be directed exclusively to King Darius. This temporarily elevated the king to a position of supreme authority, challenging the ultimate sovereignty of God. The specified penalty, being thrown into a "den of lions," was a public, brutal, and terrifying form of execution, specifically chosen to target Daniel's known practice of daily prayer to his God.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices that heighten its dramatic impact and thematic resonance. **Irony** is powerfully present in the officials' meticulously crafted "firm decree," which, intended to ensnare Daniel, ultimately showcases God's miraculous power to deliver and Darius's tragic inability to reverse his own law. The explicit mention of the "den of lions" serves as potent **foreshadowing**, immediately signaling the impending conflict and the dramatic climax of the narrative. The comprehensive enumeration of officials ("presidents, governors, princes, counsellors, and captains") functions as **synecdoche**, representing the entire bureaucratic apparatus of the kingdom, thereby emphasizing the overwhelming and unified nature of the opposition against Daniel. This collective action also highlights the **antagonism** between the corrupt human system and Daniel's unwavering individual faith.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Daniel 6:7 serves as a profound theological statement on the enduring conflict between human attempts to usurp divine authority and God's ultimate, unchallengeable sovereignty. The decree, demanding exclusive petition to the king, mirrors ancient Near Eastern practices where monarchs often claimed divine status or unique access to the divine realm, thereby challenging the biblical understanding of God as the sole legitimate recipient of worship and prayer. This directly violates the First Commandment, "You shall have no other gods before me" ([Exodus 20:3](/exodus/20-3 "Exodus 20:3 - No Other Gods")). The officials' plot, born of jealousy and political ambition, inadvertently sets the stage for God to demonstrate His power to deliver His faithful servant, thereby vindicating His own name and authority over all earthly rulers, laws, and decrees. It underscores that true allegiance belongs to God alone, regardless of the cost.

* [Psalm 146:3-5](/psalms/146-3 "Psalm 146:3-5 - Do not put your trust in princes")
* [Acts 4:19-20](/acts/4-19 "Acts 4:19-20 - Peter and John's Response to the Sanhedrin")
* [Revelation 13:15](/revelation/13-15 "Revelation 13:15 - Worship of the Beast and Death Penalty")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Daniel 6:7 presents a timeless scenario where unwavering faithfulness to God directly confronts the demands of human systems and corrupt power. For believers today, this verse prompts profound self-reflection on the nature of our ultimate allegiances. When societal pressures, political mandates, or even professional expectations conflict with our deepest convictions and our commitment to Christ, where do we stand? Daniel's adversaries sought to create a situation where his spiritual devotion became a criminal act, forcing him to choose between obedience to God and the preservation of his life. This narrative challenges us to cultivate a faith so deeply rooted in God that it can withstand external pressures and internal fears. It reminds us that true integrity is not merely about avoiding wrongdoing but actively living out our convictions, even when it comes at a significant personal cost. The ultimate question posed by this verse is not just *if* we will obey God, but *how* we will maintain our devotion when the world demands otherwise, trusting in His sovereign power to deliver.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What are contemporary "royal statutes" or societal pressures that challenge my exclusive allegiance to God in my daily life?**
* **How does Daniel's situation encourage me to maintain a consistent and public prayer life, even when it might be inconvenient or costly?**
* **In what ways might jealousy, envy, or political intrigue manifest in my own sphere of influence, and how can I respond with integrity and grace like Daniel?**

### FAQ
**Why did the officials specifically choose a 30-day period for the decree?**

Answer: The 30-day period was likely a calculated strategic choice by the conspirators. It was long enough to ensure that Daniel, with his well-known practice of daily prayer, would inevitably violate the decree, thereby guaranteeing his entrapment. At the same time, it was short enough to appear reasonable and temporary to King Darius, perhaps to avoid a widespread religious revolt or to make the king feel more secure in his temporary, elevated status without permanently alienating his diverse religious subjects.

**Was this decree truly unchangeable, even by the king himself?**

Answer: Yes, according to the established legal tradition of the Medo-Persian Empire, once a decree was signed by the king and sealed with his signet ring, it became an unchangeable "law of the Medes and Persians." This is explicitly stated in [Daniel 6:8](/daniel/6-8 "Daniel 6:8 - The Unchangeable Law") and reinforced in [Esther 1:19](/esther/1-19 "Esther 1:19 - The Law of the Medes and Persians"). This legal rigidity is a critical plot point, as it meant King Darius, despite his affection for Daniel, was legally bound to enforce the decree, highlighting the desperate nature of his attempts to rescue Daniel later in the chapter.

**What does this verse teach us about the nature of opposition to faith?**

Answer: [Daniel 6:7](/daniel/6-7 "Daniel 6:7 - The Royal Decree") powerfully illustrates that opposition to faith often stems not from a believer's wrongdoing or incompetence, but precisely from their righteousness, excellence, and unwavering devotion to God. The officials could find no fault in Daniel's administrative work; their only recourse was to target his sincere religious practice. This teaches us that spiritual opposition can be deeply insidious, leveraging sincere piety as a weapon. It also shows that such opposition is frequently rooted in human jealousy, envy, and a desire for power, rather than genuine concern for justice or the common good.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Daniel 6:7, with its depiction of a righteous man targeted by a malicious, legally binding decree, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Just as Daniel was blameless yet faced a death sentence orchestrated by jealous authorities, so too was Jesus, the [sinless Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), condemned to death by a conspiracy of religious and political leaders who found no genuine fault in Him ([Luke 23:4](/luke/23-4 "Luke 23:4 - Pilate Finds No Guilt in Jesus")). The decree against Daniel sought to prohibit petition to any other god or man, attempting to centralize all authority in the earthly king. This foreshadows the ultimate and rightful claim of Christ, who alone is the [way, the truth, and the life](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus is the Way, Truth, Life"), through whom all true petitions to God the Father must pass ([John 14:13-14](/john/14-13 "John 14:13-14 - Ask in My Name")). Daniel's miraculous deliverance from the lion's den, an act of divine intervention, powerfully prefigures Christ's ultimate victory over death and the grave, demonstrating that even the ultimate penalty of death cannot hold God's chosen one ([Acts 2:24](/acts/2-24 "Acts 2:24 - God Raised Him Up")). Ultimately, the earthly decree in Daniel 6:7, designed to ensnare and condemn, points to the divine decree of salvation through Christ, where allegiance to Him, rather than leading to a den of lions, leads to eternal life and freedom from the condemnation of sin ([Romans 8:1](/romans/8-1 "Romans 8:1 - No Condemnation in Christ Jesus")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 59:3

For, lo, they lie in wait for my soul: the mighty are gathered against me; not [for] my transgression, nor [for] my sin, O LORD.

Psalms 83:1

¶ A Song [or] Psalm of Asaph. Keep not thou silence, O God: hold not thy peace, and be not still, O God.

Psalms 83:3

They have taken crafty counsel against thy people, and consulted against thy hidden ones.

Daniel 3:27

And the princes, governors, and captains, and the king's counsellors, being gathered together, saw these men, upon whose bodies the fire had no power, nor was an hair of their head singed, neither were their coats changed, nor the smell of fire had passed on them.

Daniel 3:2

Then Nebuchadnezzar the king sent to gather together the princes, the governors, and the captains, the judges, the treasurers, the counsellors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, to come to the dedication of the image which Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up.

Psalms 62:4

They only consult to cast [him] down from his excellency: they delight in lies: they bless with their mouth, but they curse inwardly. Selah.

Daniel 3:6

And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.